World Cup Costs: Fans Reveal the True Price of Attending the Tournament
The 2026 World Cup features record-high ticket prices, but fans from around the world share how they managed to attend, spending anywhere from $60 to nearly $10,000.
The 2026 World Cup has drawn attention not only for football but also for its record-high prices. Ticket prices for group stage matches range from $350 to $5,000. Despite this, stadiums are full, and fans have found ways to fulfill their dreams.
Four Croatian fans – Tomislav Špoljarić, Danijel Koprivnjak, Zoran Kos, and Milan Pavić – are regular supporters of the Croatian national team. Thanks to their long-time fan status, they bought tickets for $60 each and embarked on a 35-day trip across Mexico, the US, and Canada. They had booked flights to Mexico City before the group draw to attend the opening match.
In contrast, four American friends purchased premium tickets for the USA vs. Paraguay match in Los Angeles at $2,735 each. Their total cost per person reached around $4,000, with one estimating he would spend nearly $10,000 throughout the tournament. He expressed disappointment with FIFA's pricing policy, noting that football is becoming less accessible to ordinary fans.
Meanwhile, six friends from Glasgow chose a more frugal approach. Scotland is playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, so they used airline miles, shared hotel rooms in Boston, and stayed with friends in New York. Total costs per person, including tickets, were about £1,200. After Scotland's win over Haiti, they described John McGinn's goal as one of the most emotional moments of their lives.
A German couple, Nathaniel and Ines, incorporated the World Cup into their honeymoon. They had already planned a trip to North America, and attending Germany's match against Curaçao in Houston was an added bonus. As members of the German Football Association's fan club, they bought tickets for around $180. Although beer at the stadium cost $19 and they waited half an hour in the heat to enter, they said the atmosphere exceeded expectations.
Fans agree that the World Cup is expensive this time, but the emotions outweigh the costs. The opportunity to experience the tournament live is a priceless experience.
